Vibration isolating system



Feb. 20, 1962 J. BOCHAN 3,021,956

VIBRATION ISOLATING SYSTEM Filed J an. 28, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIQIINVENTOR.

JOHN BOCHAN wild/ M ms ATTORNEY J. BOCHAN VIBRATION ISOLATING SYSTEMFeb. 20, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28, 1960 INVENTOR. J'OHN'BOCHAN M 0 l-IIS ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,021,956PatentedFeb. 20, 1962 3,021,956 VIBRATION ISOLATING SYSTEM John Bochan,Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation ofNew York Filed Jan. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 5,259 11 Claims. (Cl. 210-364)This invention relates to vibration isolating systems, and moreparticularly to a suspension system for isolating vibrations of a movingsystem from the frame on which it is supported.

The problem of isolating vibrations of the moving parts of a machinefrom the stationary parts thereof has long been recognized and manysolutions have been proposed therefor. While many of the systems whichhave been evolved have been satisfactory, it has been found mostdifficult to provide an arrangement which, together with the eliminationof undesirable vibrations in the supporting framework of the apparatus,is also economical while at the same time restricting the vibrationalmovement of the apparatus to a reasonable extent. In addition, itfrequently occurs that the moving parts of such apparatus must often beallowed only a certain number of degrees of freedom, and there is thusthe problem of absorbing the vibrations between the moving system andthe frame while retaining the motion of the moving system Within thepredetermined limits.

As an example of the problems encountered along this line, mostautomatic Washing machines of the type presently commercially availablefor domestic use provide a clothes basket in which the clothes arewashed and rinsed, and when it is desired to remove the liquid from theclothes the basket is rotated at a high speed so as to centrifuge theliquid out of the clothes. Very often, the system for effecting thewashing and centrifuging operations does not have its weightsymmetrically distributed about the axis of rotation so that there isinherently an unbalance in the system. In addition, the clothes whichare being laundered most often will not distribute themselves perfectlyabout the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the basket but willprovide an additional degree of unbalance. There is the furtherconsideration that vibra tion-caused motion of the movingsystem must bemaintained within reasonable limits, usually on the basis that thesupporting frame or cabinet of the machine must be small enough to becommercially attractive for home usage. Yet a further item forconsideration is that vertical axis washing machines, that is, washingmachines of the type with a basket, open at its top and reached througha lid in the top of the machine, generally should have a highly limitedamount of vertical freedom, both for propthe more conventional type ofsystem wherein there is actual deformation of flexible parts, and inwhich all degrees of freedom of movement are provided save for verticalmotion which is substantially restrained.

In one aspect of my invention, I provide an apparatus which includes amoving system together with a rigid frame provided forsupporting'themoving system without receiving vibrations therefrom.'Asuspension system for securing the moving system on the frame includesa pair of elongated members formed so as to be substan tially rigid intension and respectively positioned on diametrically opposite sides ofthe moving system. Each elongated member has one end secured inswiveling rela tion to the frame and is positioned to extend down fromthat end; the length of each of the elongated members is er functioningof the apparatus itself and again because of the restrictions on sizeinherent in an appliance which is to be used in the space normallyavailable in most homes.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved systemwhich will be simple in structure and economical to manufacture, yetwhich will effectively prevent the vibrations of the moving system fromreaching the stationary parts of the apparatus in which the movingsystem is included.

As a further object, directed toward apparatus having a particular typeof moving system, it is an object of the invention to provide animproved vibration eliminating suspension system for apparatus includingcomponents designed to centrifuge.

As a further object, directed toward an even more specific structure, Iprovide by my invention an improved vibration isolating suspensionsystem for vertical axis washing machines.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a vibrationisolating suspension system wherein the suspension is provided by anumber of relatively rigid members such as to cause the lower end of themember to be above the center of gravity of the moving system.

The lower end of each elongated member is secured to a joining member inswiveling relation thereto, and each of the two joining members ispivotally connected to the moving system, the connections of the twojoining members being on opposite sides of the system. The joiningmembers are themselves, in turn, joined by connecting means which extendfrom one joining member to the other under the moving system. Theelongated members, the

joining members, the connecting means, and the center of gravity of themoving system all have the common characteristic that they liesubstantially in the same single vertical plane.

With this arrangement, there is provided a suspension arrangementwherein the moving system is relatively free to move in all directionsexcept vertically, and in that direction it is substantially restrainedfrom movement. Because of the swiveling relationship of the two ends ofeach elongated member to the frameand to the joining membersrespectively,-it is a relatively simple matter, where so desired, toinclude damping means at those points so that other external dampingmeans may be eliminated; this is a substantial advantage provided by theinvention in that the damping means are more economical to provide inthis manner and actually operate more effectively. 7

The arrangement of the various members of the suspension system causesvibrations of the moving system to be translated into movement of thedifferent parts of the suspension system relative to each other. Thishas not only been found to be a highly economical and operablestructure, but in addition it has been found that a' great part of thevibrations which may originate in the moving system are prevented fromreaching the stationary.

supporting frame.

The features of the invention which I believe to be novel are set forthwith particularity; in the appended claims. The invention itselfhowever, both as to organization and method of operation, together withfurther objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following detailed description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective, partly broken awayand partly in cross section to show details, of a first embodiment of myinvention as used in a vertical axis washing machine;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of FIGURE 1, alsopartly broken away and partly in cross section to show details;

FIGURE 3 is a view in perspective, partly broken away and partly incross section to show details, of a second embodiment of my inventionwhich, for the sake of illustration, is embodied in a different type ofvertical axis washing machine; and

away and partly in cross section, of the machine of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2. of the drawings, I have shown thereinan agitator-type vertical axis washing machine 1 having a clothes basket2 which is provided over its entire side wall with perforations 3 andwhich is disposed within an outer imperforate tub or casing 4. Tub 4 ismounted within a frame or appearance cabinet 5 which includes a base 6,vertically extending walls 7 and a top portion 8. In addition, theappearance cabinet may be completed by a separate section 9 seated ontop of portion 8 and which in turn supports a control panel 10 providedwith appropriate controls such as 11.

Tub 4 is secured to appearance cabinet 5 by any appropriate means suchas, for instance, metal straps 12 which are secured at one end toportion 8 of the frame and at the other end to the side wall of tub 4.Thus, in eifect, the tub forms part of the stationary portion of machine1, being rigidly secured to the stationary appearance cabinet 5. Theupper member 9 is provided with a suitable lid 13 which may be opened soas to provide ready access to the basket 2 for insertion and withdrawalof clothes.

At the center of basket 2 there is provided a vertical axis agitator 14which includes a center post '15 and a plurality of suitably formedvanes 16. The agitator is further provided with an outwardly anddownwardly flared skirt 17 to which the vanes are joined at their lowerends. Both the clothes basket 2 and the agitator 14 are rotatablymounted. As indicated in FIGURE 2, the basket is secured to a rotatablemember 18 extending up from within a transmission 19, and the agitatoris mounted on a shaft (not shown) which extends upwardly fromtransmission 19 through member 18, and is joined to center post ofagitator 14 by any suitable means (not shown). During a typical cycle ofoperation of machine 1 liquid is introduced through an inlet 20 (FIG,-URE '1); then the agitator is oscillated back and forth within basket 2to wash the clothes. After a predetermined period of this washingaction, basket 2 is rotated at a high speed to extract centrifugally thewashing liquid from the clothes, the liquid passing through perforations3 into the outer tub 4 and thence being removed by a suitable pump 21 toa drain. Following this extraction operation, a supply of clean liquidis then introduced into the basket for rinsing the clothes as theagitator is again oscillated. Finally, the basket is once more rotatedat high speed to extract the rinse water and discharge it from theclothes so that it may be removed by pump 21.

Basket 2 and agitator 14 may be driven by any suitable means, as thedrive means form no part of the present invention. However, by way ofexample, I have shown them as driven from a reversible motor 22 whichdrives the basket and agitator through a drive including a clutch 23mounted on the motor shaft. Clutch 23 allows the motor to start withoutload and then picks up the load as it comes up' to speed. A suitablebelt 24 transmits power to the transmission assembly 20 through pulley25. Thus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, pulley 25' oftransmission 19 is driven in opposite directions.

Transmission 19 is so arranged that it supports and drives both theagitator drive shaft and the basket mounting member 18. When motor 22 isrotated in one direct tion the transmission causes the agitator 14 tooscillate within the basket 2. Conversely, when the motor 22 is drivenin the opposite direction, the transmission drives the wash basket 2 andthe agitator together at high speed for centrifugal extraction. Whilethe drive means forms no part of the present invention, reference ismade to Patent 2,844,225 issued on July 22, 1958 to James R. Hubbard eta1. and owned by, the General Electric Company, assignee of the presentinvention. That patent discloses in detail the structuralcharacteristics of a transmission assembly suitable for use in theillustrated machine.

Additional structural features which may be noted for a more completeunderstanding of the general driving arrangement provided in the washingmachine of FIGURES 1 and 2 include a direct flexible drive 26 from motor22 to pump 21, and a suitable counterweight 27 which, as shown in FIGURE'1, is positioned on the opposite side of the rotational axis of thebasket 2 from the motor 22 so that, while there is necessarily somesmall unbalance resulting from the unsymmetrical structure of thedriving system, it is held to a minimum. A further structural feature tobe noted is the provision of a flexible boot member 28 which is securedat its inner edge to the top of the transmission 19 and at its outeredge to the tub 4. This arrangement provides a water tight connectionbetween the transmission and the tub for retaining water in the tub andbasket while at the same time permitting the relative motion betwen thetub and basket which results from the fact that the basket is part ofthe suspended operating system of the machine (as will be more fullydescribed herebelow) and the tub is secured to the stationary frame orappearance cabinet of the machine.

It will be understood that, while the description of the machine thusfar excludes any substantial amount of det-ail relating to the drive,and does not show at all the valves and the particular controls normallyprovided on modern domestic washing machines, the elimination andsimplification of these items are primarily for the purpose ofpermitting a clear explanation of the inventive concept set forth below.In addition, it will readily be recognized that the omitted details areconventional items in virtually all domestic washing machines, whosestructure and positioning is well known to those skilled in the art.

As previously described, basket 2 is rotated at high speed to effectcentrifugal extraction of the liquid from the clothes in the basket. Ashas also previously been mentioned, the structure of the machine itselfand the arrangement of the clothes in the basket both tend to provideunbalancing forces which, during high speed rotation, causevibration-inducing forces. These forces tend to result in gyrations ofthe moving system which includes the basket, agitator, transmission,motor and counterweight. It is important that the vibrations caused bythe unbalance forces be prevented from reaching the frame, that is, theappearance cabinet, in any substantial amount since otherwise themachine will have a tendency to move about on the floor on which it islocated and in fact might well be damaged by such vibrations.

The suspension system includes a pair of elongated members 29 and 30,located on directly opposite sides of the moving system, which must havethe characteristic of being substantially rigid in tension. As shown inFIG- URE 1, in the preferred embodiment of the invention these elongatedmembers are in the form of metal rods. Each of the members 29 terminatesat its upper end in a substantially hemispherical portion 30 and at itslower end in a substantially hemispherical portion 31. Portion 30 seatsin a hemispherical recess 32 formed in portion 8 of the frame while end31 of each member seats in a cupshaped recess 33 formed in the end of ajoining member 34. Thus, each end of a member 29 forms with the recessin which it is received a universal, orv ball and socket, jointpermitting swiveling motion of the member 29. The length of members 29is such that their lower ends 31 connect with members 34 respectivelyabove the center of gravity of the moving system (shown in FIGURE 2 bythe letters C.G.).

There are two joining members 34, each associated with one of theelongated members 29. Each joining member 34 is connected to the movingsystem by a pair of arms 35 which pivot on a normaly horizontal pin 36secured between lugs 37 extending from transmission 19. Thus, eachmember 34 is pivotable in a substantially vertical plane when the movingsystem is at rest. As shown, one preferred structure is the provision ofa semi-cylindrical section 370 at the end of each arm 35; the directionof the forces in the system retains the different parts in operativerelation, while the open nature of sections 37a facilitates assembly anddisassembly.

The bottom end 38 of each joining member is pivotally connected by a pin39 to a linking member 40 which, as shown, thereby extends beneath themoving system so as to connect the two joining members. Preferably, asshown, the connecting means is in the form of a link 40 which has thesame characteristic as the other parts of the system that it issubstantially rigid in tension. Also, it has been found that a desirablefeature is designing the suspension system of my invention is to keepthe junction of the lower end 38 of the joining member 34 with link 40directly below the pivoting junction of the member 34 with the movingsystem, i.e., preferably pin 39 is directly below pin 36. The members29, members 34, link 40, and the center of gravity of the moving systemall lie substantially in the same vertical plane when the moving systemis at rest.

The unbalance forces operating on the moving system when basket 2 isspinning at a relatively high speed cause, basically, two types ofvibration motion with my improved suspension system. First, there is agenerally pendulous motion of the system which may occur either in thevertical plane of the system itself or in some other vertical plane. Ifthe pendulous motion is in a plane at right angles to the plane of thesuspension, the motion is achieved by a swinging of the movingsystem andjoining members between the two elongated members 29. Pendulous motionin the vertical plane of the suspension system causes the elongatedmembers to swivel relative to the frame at their tops and relative tothe joining members at their bottoms, and causes a pivoting action ofthe joining members where' they are secured to the moving system. Ofcourse, pendulousmotion between these two extremes becomes a combinationof the two types of movement. Since the center of gravity of the movingsystem is below the level where the joining members 34 are swivelinglyconnected to the elongated members 29, the system is gravity centeredand is stable, substantially in the manner that a shopping bag whosecenter of gravity is below the level at which the handles at the top ofthe bag areconnected thereto is stable when the bag is held by thehandles and swung.

The second type of motion which may occur is a rocking motion whichoccurs about a point: one side of the moving system tends to rise whileat the same time the other side of the system tends to fall. When thismotion occurs in the vertical plane of the suspension system, it isachieved by the pivoting action of, the joining members relative to themoving system. In the other direction, that is, in a plane which is atright angles to the first vertical plane, the rocking motion of themoving system is taken care of by the swiveling relation of the junctionbetween the members 29 and 34 respectively. As with the pendulousmotion, the rocking motion is normally a combination of the two typesdescribed.

It will thus be seen that in elfect the moving system accommodates bothpendulous and rocking motion in all vertical planes. Almost invariablythere is a combination of the rocking and pendulous motions. However,their causes can, to some extent, be separated by stating that singleplane unbalances (commonly called static unbalances) cause apredominantly pendulous motion, whereas a couple (equal unbalancesremoved from each other circumferentially by .180 and axiallyseparated), also known as a dynamic unbalance, causes a predominantlyrocking motion. While a couple is balanced in the static sense, itpresents a dynamic unbalance which heretofore has proven to be one ofthe hardest to accommodate and isolate with a suspension system whichalso accommodates and isolates the more obvious static unbalances.

With the rocking and pendulous vibratorymotions of the moving systemthus accommodated, the only forces which can be transmitted to the frame5 and to the floor are vertical forces which have very little harmfuleffect. By far the greater part of the vibrational force of the movingsystem is absorbed by the suspension system described and is thereforeprevented from being transmitted to frame 5 and to the floor on whichthe machine 1 rests.

In operation, the moving system of machine 1 is constructed to haverelatively low critical or resonant speeds both for static and dynamicunbalances. At the dynamic unbalance resonant speed, the transmitteddynamic frame-vibrating forcesare at a peak. Since vibrational.

forces at the critical speed increase approximately with the square ofthat speed, it is highly desirable, in order to keep these forcesrelatively small, that a low critical speed be provided by proper designof the machine. The design of machines to provide a low static unbalanceresonant speed is well known. However, substantial difficulty has beenencountered in the design of a system which will also have the desiredlow dynamic unbalance resonant speed. The suspension system describedhas been found very helpful in this respect in that, by virtue of thefact that it is formed of rigid members which do not stretch undertension it readily permits a low critical speed design to be obtainedfor both types of unbalance.

It will, of course, be recognized that the extent of motion of themoving system as it passes through the critical speeds may be such as torequire damping, particularly in cases Where the system proceedsrelatively slowly through the critical speed and the vibrational forceshave a consequently longer time to operate. While damping may possiblybe omitted in some instances where a high torque power source isavailable to push the system through critical speed quickly, it is notnormally economically or practically feasible to provide such a sourcefor domestic washing machines; as briefly described above, a moreconventional procedure is to provide a relatively small motor withclutch means for preventing sudden large torque requirements. As aresult, it is desirable in the machine described to provide suitabledamping means. The system described lends itself particularly well tothe provision of highly effective damp ing means by permittingrecesses32 and 33 in which the ends of members 29 are positioned to be providedwith damping surfaces 41 and 42 respectively. The provision of thedamping surfaces in the ball and socket type joints provided at each endof the members 29 means that, regardless of the type of motion provided,there will be suitable damping therefor. In addition, sections 37a maybe provided with damping surfaces to provide additional damping whenpivoting of the joining member 34 relative to the moving system takesplace. It will readily be seen that as the moving system goes throughits vibration or unbalance caused motion, the surfaces of thehemispherical ends of rods 29 will rub against the damp ing material inthe recessed seats 32 and 33 and that, as the joining member 34 pivotsrelative to the moving system, damping will occur. because of thepresence of damping material 43. Thus damping is provided for allmotions allowed by the system.

It -will be seen from the foregoing that a highly effective and yetsimple and economical suspension system is provided by my inventionwhereby a major part of the undesirable vibrations existing as a resultof the operation of the moving system are preventedfrom reaching theframe of the machine and consequently the base or floor on whichthe'machine stands. It must be noted that an important characteristic ofthe system, which must be present in order to achieve stability, is thatfor all types and directions of motion the center of gravity of thesystem must move upwardly fromits position of rest as it moves away fromthat position. The length of members relative to the center of gravity,and the relation of pins 36 and 39 as describedare two factors 7; (thefirst one essential, the second one desirable) in achieving thisimportant characteristic. It will, however, be recognized that thepresence or absence of the characteristic in any suspension system ofthe type described may readily be ascertained by a kinematic analysis ofthe given system.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, a second embodimentofmy improved suspension system is shown, with like numerals being used toillustrate like parts. One substantial difference between the firststructure described and the structure of FIGURES 3 and 4 is that, in thelatter, tub 4 is rigidly secured at its base to the top of transmission19 and is not secured to frame 5. Thus, the tub is part of the movingsystem rather than part of the stationary frame. As a result, since thetub has the same movement as motor 22, it is stationary with respectthereto'and an ordinary shaft 44 may be used to connect motor 22 todrain 21. In addition, the fact that the tub 4 moves with thetransmission 19 and basket 2 means that the lower portion 45 of the tubmay be rigidly secured to the transmission rather than requiring, as inFIGURES 1 and 2, a flexible boot member.

Insofar as the suspension system is concerned, instead of the two rodmembers 659 of FIGURES 1 and 2 the embodiment of FIGURES 3 and 4provides a pair of metallic cables 46 secured at their top ends 47 tothe frame portion 8 on opposite sides of the moving system and at theirbottom ends 48 to ends 49 of joining members 50. Each joining member 50is pivotally connected to the tub 4 of the moving system by means of apair of ears 51 extending from the tub 4 and which support a pin 52 onwhich the member 50 is mounted so as to pivot in a substantiallyvertical plane when the moving system is at rest. In addition, asuitable damping material 53 may be provided in each pivot connection.At their lower ends 54'the joining members are connected together by acable member 55 which extends under the moving system of the machine asbefore.

It will readily be seen that in the place of the rods 29, cables 46 areprovided and that the length of the cables is such that their lower ends4-8 are located above the center of gravity of the moving system.Because of the nature of cables, they are in effect mounted forswiveling motion relative to the frame and to members 50 without theneed for ball and socket joints such as provided in the embodiments ofFIGURES 1 and 2. Also, securement to the outside of the tub 4 ispossible in the construction shown because of the fact that the tub inthis particular arrangement is included as part of the moving systemrather than part of the stationary frame.

A most important point in the inventive structure is that the memberswhich join the moving system to the frame must be substantially rigidunder tension; in this connection cables 46 of FIGURE 3 stand in thesame stead as completely rigid members, such as rods 29. The same isalso true of the cable 55 which connects the two joining members, inthat it is completely rigid in tension in the same manner as link 40 ofFIGURE '1. The embodiment of FIGURES 3 and 4 helps to illustrate that,in the provision of the. described system which requires members rigidin tension, flexible members such as cables may be used.

In addition, it will be observed that a slightly difierent type ofvertical axis washing machine is shown in FIG- URE 3 from the type shownin FIGURE 1, the primary diiference being that in one type the outerimperforate tub is part of the stationary frame whereas in the secondtype it is part of the moving system. It will clearly be understood, notonly that either type may be used with either of the embodiments of thesuspension system, but further that the two types of suspension systemshown may be used with many other types of apparatus having movingparts. I

.The operation of the suspension system in FIGURE 3 is, the same as thatof the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2; the single possible exception liesin the ready feasibility of providing damping means at the top andbottom of the elongated members 29 because of their rigidity whereasthis is not so readily possible in the embodiment of FIGURES 3 and 4,and other more convcntional locations (not shown) in addition to thedamping material 53 may be desirable.

As in the embodiment of FIGURE 1, a most important criterion of theconstruction is that during all types of motion of the moving system itis important that movement of the center ofg'ravity from its position ofrest always be in an upward direction in all directions so as to insurestability of the system. Again, it has been found that, with the bottom54of the joining members directly under the pivoting axis 52, adesirable relationship of the various parts is achieved, but it willfurther be unden stood that the precise relationship of the bottom ofthe joining member to the remainder of the parts may be varied withinlimits and that various configurations may be provided: the primarystipulations are that all the parts of the system extend substantiallyin a vertical plane passing through the center of gravity of the movingsystem when it is at rest, andthat the movement of the center of gravityalways be in an upward direction from its position of rest. As isclearly evident by the two different embodiments, various configurationswithin these limitations are readily feasible.

Thus, while in accordance with the patent statutes I have described whatat present are considered to be the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein Without departing from theinvention, and I therefore aim in the appended claims to. cover all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUni-ted States is:

1. A machine comprising: a moving system including driving means andmeans driven. at high speed by said dr ving means; a rigid .frameprovided for supporting sald moving system; and means for supportingsaid movmg system on said frame comprising a pair of elongated membersformed to be substantially rigid in tension respectively positioned onopposite sides of said system, each said elongated member having anupper end secured to said frame in swiveling relation thereto and beingposihoned to extend down from said upper end, said. elongatedmembers-having a length causing their respective lower ends to be abovethe center of gravity of said system, a pair of joining members eachhaving one end secured to the lower end of one of said elongated membersin swivelmg relation thereto, said joining members being alsorespectively connected to said system on opposite sidesv thereof, saidmoving system being pivotallymounted to n said joining members forpivoting motion in the plane formed by the lower ends of said elongatedmembers. and the. moving system center of gravity, and connecting meansextending under said moving system connecting together the, other endsof said joining members; said elongated members and the moving. systemcenter of gravity all lying substantially in a single vertical planewhen said system is at rest.

2. The apparatus defined in claim lwherein said moving system comprisescentrifuging apparatus and said driven meansrotates in response tooperation by said driving means. V

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 including damping means between thetop of each said elongated member and said frameand between the bottomof each said elongated member' and the joining member connected thereto.7

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said machine is a laundrymachine and said moving system were. mea s. o laund rin c he said r n 9means including a clothes basket rotatable on a substantially verticalaxis, said driving means including means for rotating said basket at acentrifuging speed.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein the lower ends of saidjoining members are directly below the pivotal connections of saidjoining members to said laundering means when said laundering means isat rest.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means issubstantially rigid in tension.

7. A machine comprising: a moving system including driving means andmeans driven at high speed by said driving means, a rigid frame providedfor supporting said moving system; and means supporting said movingsystem on said frame comprising a pair of rigid rods respectivelypositioned on opposite sides of said system, a

universal joint securing the upper end of each said elongated member tosaid frame in swiveling relation thereto, each said rod being positionedto extend down from said upper end, said elongated members having alength causing their respective lower ends to be above the center ofgravity of said system, a pair of joining members, a universal jointconnecting one end of each said joining member to the lower end of oneof said elongated members in swiveling relation thereto, said joiningmembers being also connected to said system on opposite sides thereof,said moving system being pivotally mounted to said joining members forpivoting motion in the plane formed by the lower ends of said elongatedmembers and the moving system center of gravity, and connecting meansextending under said moving system connecting together the other ends ofsaid joining members; said elongated members and the moving systemcenter of gravity all lying substantially in a single vertical planewhen said moving system is at rest.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said machine is a laundrymachine and said moving system comprises means for laundering clothes,said driven means including a clothes basket rotatable on a verticalaxis and said driving means including means for rotating said basket ata centrifuging speed.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein each of said universaljoints includes damping means separating the relatively movable partsthereof.

10. A laundry machine having means for laundering clothes including aclothes basket rotatable on a substantially vertical axis and drivemeans for causing high speed rotation of said basket; a rigid frame forsaid laundering means including a stationary tub positioned insurrounding relation to said basket; and means for supporting saidlaundering means on said frame so as to prevent a substantial part ofany vibrations thereof from reaching said frame comprising a pair ofelongated members formed to be substantially rigid in tension andrespectively positioned on opposite sides of said basket, each saidelongated member having an upper end secured to said frame Gil inswiveling relation thereto and being positioned to extend down from saidupper end, said elongated members having a length causing theirrespective lower ends to be above the center of gravity of saidlaundering means, a pair of joining members each having one end securedto the lower end of said elongated members in swiveling relationthereto, said joining members being also connected to said launderingmeans below said tub on opposite sides of said laundering means, saidlaundering means being pivotally mounted to said joining members for 1pivoting motion in the plane formed by the lower ends of said elongatedmembers and the laundering means center of gravity, and connecting meansextending under said laundering means connecting together the other endsof said joining members; said elongated members and the laundering meanscenter of gravity a-ll lying substantially in a single vertical planewhen said laundering means is at rest.

11. A laundry machine having means for laundering clothes including aclothes basket rotatable on a substantially vertical axis, animperforate tub surrounding said basket, and drive means for causinghigh speed rotation of said basket within said tub; a rigid frame forsaid laundering means; and means supporting said laundering means onsaid frame so as to prevent a substantial part of any vibrations thereoffrom reaching said frame comprising a pair of elongated members formedto be substantially rigid in tension and respectively positioned onopposite sides of said laundering means, each said elongated memberhaving an upper end secured to said frame in swiveling relation theretoand being positioned to extend down from said upper end, said elongatedmembers having a length causing their respective lower ends to be abovethe center of gravity of said laundering means, a pair of joiningmembers each having one end secured to the lower end of one of saidelongated members in swiveling relation thereto, said joining membersbeing also respectively connected to said laundering means on oppositesides thereof, said laundering means being pivotally mounted to saidjoining members for pivoting motion in the plane formed by the lowerends of said elongated members and the laundering means center ofgravity, and connecting means extending under said laundering means andconnecting together the other ends of said joining members; saidelongated members and the laundering means center of gravity all lyingsubstantially in a single vertical plane when said laundering means isat rest.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS335,654 Taplin Feb. 9, 1886 2,130,160 Shellenberg Sept. 13, 19382,358,779 Tholl Sept. 26, 1944 2,648,510 Henshaw Aug. 11, 1953

